Annual Report
OF THE
ADJUTANT GENERAL
OF THE
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
For the Year 1858.
TRENTON, N. J.
TRENTON. N. J. :
The J. L. Mtjephy Publishing Co., Printers.
1904.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S REPORT.
Adjutaxt-Gexeral's Office, ] Trenton, X. J., Dec. 31, 185^. \
To lits Excellency^ William A. Xewell, (rorenwr, Comrnandcr- in-Chief, &c., dc, &c.
Sik: — I Ijeg leave to submit the following report:
The militarv organization of the State has been increased during the past year, by the formation of twelve companies, making the number of companies at present organized, one hundred and fifty-seven.
The number of men liable to do military duty, as returne<l under the act approved March 17, X'^'irl, is eighty-one thousand nine hundred and eighty-live.
Great improvement has taken place in several of the brigades, in the organization of the different companies and regiments, in the character of officers and men, in discipline, apijearance, de- l)ortment, and in that essential quality, subordination.
In one brigade, a new regiment has been formed, and in other brigades, a re-organization has taken place. The spirit which has been manifested during the past year, if confinued, will place the militia of Xew Jersey in a jx)sition which will compare favorably with any similar troops elsewhere.
The annual returns of brigade insi>ection have not been made to this office with that punctuality which the law would seem to require. Abstracts have l^een made from those received, and will be found annexed to this report.
It l^eing a part of the duty of the Adjutant-General to re|wrt ■"such improvements as he may think necessary to advance the discipline and benefit the militia," I l)eg leave to submit the following suggestions :
The subject of an uniform tlress for the different brigades, has
4 ajjjutan;t-gexekaj;8 report.
cniiaiicd inueh attention, and in two brig-ades, the different com- i;anies now appear in a brigade dress, of a plain, neat and snb- stantial charaeter. Experience continncs to demonstrate the necessity of adopting some nniform dress for each brigade in the State. JN^) anionnt of proficiency can be obtained without it, when- ever equalization of coin]>any fronts is essential, as in battalion movements. Fanev names, as well as dresses, should be abandoned as soon as praeticalile.
While in certain lirigades great attention has been paid to the matter of drill, yet in the majority, regular and systematic drills are much needed. Weekly drills, occasional battalion drills, both indoor and on the field, and stated meetings of officers for in- struction, wculd certainly pTomote this object, and some general regulations on the subject might be adopted to advantage.
The fact that two systems of tactics are at present in use in the U. S. army, demands that a uniform system should be adopted for the use of the militia in this State. The difference of com- mand incident to the adoption of Maynard's Primer, renders it highly expedient that some action in this matter should be had immediately. At present, each commandant may adopt as much (f one system, and as little of the other, as suits his own ]>eculiar views ; and in case of a division coming together, the General-in- Chief finds his commands understood differently, and each sub- division cap'able of manoeuvering only independent of the other.
Experience also demonstrates the necessity which exists, that greater authority should be given, in all cases, to superiors, to enforce existing laws, their own commands and instructions.
The brigade boards should be rigidly kept up throughout the State.
Every proper encouragement should be given to increase the uniform companies, and perhaps it would be well to establish yearly l)rigade encampments, under a system somewhat similar to that in use in the Xew England States.
The necessity of a thorough military organization in the po]nilous cities of the State, and the insufficiency of the general militia law, lias rendered it necessary that certain brigades should be organized under special acts. This has led to great incon- venience. A conflict of opinion often exists as to the construction of the statutes, which is destructive to good order and discipline.
Ai)JL:TA.\T-GEAERAj;S IIKPOKT. 5
The net of IS'rl, r«]iiiirs an eimiiieration of all i>ersons liable to perforin military dntv, to secnro to the State the qnota of arms to Avhicli she is entitled. Yet by act of Congress, approved March ''m1, 1855, the distribntion of arms for the different States, is basc<l npm the respective representation in C^ongToss, and not as heretofore on the mnster rolls.
TIk^ ('xistiiig militia law anthorizes three commissioned officers to everv company — namely, Captain, Lientenant and Ensign. Yet on account of the re-organization of the companies, it has become necessary, and is customary, to commission a Captain and two Lieutenants.
Again, by special act, some brigades are entitled in company elections, to elect, three Lieutenants in companies of all arms ; while others are only entitled to elect three Lieutenants in rifle companies.
These subjects, in my opinion, need immediate attention, but they are only some of the many defects in our present militia system. What is the best remedy, I am not prepared to say, but feel satisfied, that a more general law regiilating the militia — special acts for the different brigades as they may become neces- sary, together with a system of general regailations and tactics, would tend veiw much to relieve the difiiculty. For this purix)se, I recommend that the Commander-in-Chief appoint a board .of officers to examine and review this whole subject, and report at an early day.
Eespectfully,
A'our obedient servant,
R. F. STOCKTOX, Jii., AdjvAani-CTPucrnl X. J. M.
6 AIM UTAXT-GE.\ElLVi;s liEPOKT.
Abstract from Returji.s of Brujadc Iii.spcrlors motiloncd in the forcf/oinr/ Report :
IIUXTEKDOA'^ BKKJADK liHKi. (iEX. SAMUEI. LILLY.
Kaiik and iile, present insjieeted 97; absent 4:^; total, 130. 5 (•a])tains, 10 lieutenants, 13 sergeants, 15 corporals, 10 drunimers, .") titers, 1 bngler.
iJl swords, 121 muskets, 121 bayonets, 121 cartridge boxes, 121 belts.
1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 major, 1 brigade major, 1 l)rigade pay-master, 1 brigade quarter master, 1 brigade surgeon, 1 judge advocate.
Arms all in perfect order.
CAMDEX BKIGADE BEIG. GEX. ISAAC AV. MICKLE.
]\ank and tile, present inspected, 40. 2 captains, 5 lieutenants, 8 sergeants, S corporals.
7 swords, 100 muskets, 100 bayonets, 100 iron ramrods, 100 cartridge boxes.
1 colonel, 1 lieut.-colonel, 1 major, 1 adjutant, 1 brigade major, 1 brigade pay-master, 1 brigade (piarter-master, 1 brigade sur- geon, 1 brigade judge advocate.
Arms all in o-ood order.
NEWARK BKIGADE BKIG. GEX. THEODORE RUXYOX.
Rank and file, non-commissioned <iiiicers and nuisicians, 540 ; field and staff officers, 18; company officers, 41.
Swords, 35; muskets, (percussion,) 310; muskets, (flint,) 41); bayonets, 320; iron ramrods, 566; rifles, (percussion,) 318; gun slings, 243; cap pouches, 242; flasks, 90; cartridge boxes, 280 ; artillery swords, 40 ; artillery hangers 40 ; six jjounder cannon, 3 ; setts harness, 2.
The arms of the First Regiment and City Battalion are in good condition.
The rifles of the Second Regiment are in a bad condition., and represented to be dangerous to use in firing.
AIM rTAXT-GK\EKAJ;S KEPOKT.
BERGEX BIJIOAKK I!i;i(.. GKX. AXDIIEW II. IIOI'VKU.
A return has l3<?on received at this office, piirp<^»rting t<» l>e a return of the Bergen Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Andrew H. Hopi^er, signed bv Garret S. Demarest, Brigade Major; l)ut no jwrtion of the Brigade api^ears bv the return to liave l>een ins]Tccted. except ''The Independent Battalion of the county of Bergen," established by an act of the Legislature, approved March 11, 1858. The Battalion consists of three companies, viz: Hackensack Continentals, Hackciisack Rifles, and Xational Guards. The return is as follo^vs :
1 cnlunel. 1 adjutant, 1 pay-master, 1 quarter master, 1 surgeon, 1 sergeant majr>r. 1 captain. 6 lieutenants, 7 sergeants, 2 corp«trals, 37 rank and file present, 22 do. absent.
7 swords. 40 muskets, 4(5 bayonets. 4<> iron ramrods. 46 cart- ridae lx)xes.
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